Method of compensating fob expansion and contraction of metallic fences



L- EIKEN'BERRY.

Iron Fence; v 7

N0. 23,908. Patented May 19, 185a H1 0 xy UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIDE.

LEWIS EIKENBERRY, OF EASTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD OF COMPENSA'IING FOR EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION OF METALLICFENCES.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 23,908, dated May 10, 1859'.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS EIKENBERRY, of Easton, in the county ofNorthampton and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulCompensating Iron Fence; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, inwhich Figure l is a front view of an iron fence constructed with myimprovement. Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same.

Similar letters of reference in each of the several figures indicatecorresponding parts.

My invention consists in making provision for expansion and contractionin an iron fence by having its palings loosely pivoted together to formlattice work or other similar open work and its panels with its palingsarranged to turn 011 their points of connection throughout and thusenable the fence to maintain its usual length while it increases inheight.

To enable others, skilled in the art, to make and use my invention, Iwill proceed to describe its construction and operation.

A, represents the sill on which the fence is erected.

B, B, B, are short intermediate supports for the panels of the fence tohang and turn upon.

C, is a tubular or solid iron post; between two of these posts, one ormore panels of my fence may be arranged so as to be prevented fromhaving longitudinal movement when expansion occurs, but not have theirupward movement interfered with.

D, D, represent two panels of an iron fence made after my invention.These panels are made by crossing palings a, a, diagonally or in anymanner which will form open work, as shown in the drawing at the pointswhere the palings cross each other, pivots b, b, are inserted, so thatthey hold the palings firmly together and yet allow them perfect freedomto turn, independently of each other. The panels thus formed areattached by pivots 0, 0, 0, to the intermediate short supports B, so asto be capable of turning freely.

To relieve the pivots 0, 0, c, in case the weight of the panels is toogreat for them to sustain and it is not practicable to enlarge thepivots, the ends of the palings through which the pivots pass may berounded off as at c, e, and corresponding circular sockets f, f,provided in the supports for them to rest and turn in, as shown in thedrawing.

E, E, are braces for preventing lateral vibration or movement in thepanels of the fence. These braces should be arranged with the diagonalsand attached to the sill and to the panels so as to turn at g, and at h,and thus not interfere with the changes in the height of the panels whencontraction and expansion occur.

From the above description of parts it will be evident that as thepanels cannot slide on the points of connection, but as they and thepalings are capable of turning on their points of connection whencontraction or expansion from change in temperature occurs, the fencethroughout will increase or decrease in height, the palings assuming aposition more or less inclined from a horizontal line and consequentlyapproximating to or receding from each other.

When expansion occurs, the palings approximate and become more nearlyupright and consequently the fence increases in height, but whencontraction takes place, the palings recede from each other and standless inclined to the horizon and consequently the fence decreases inheight.

It is very essential in the construction of an iron fence to makeprovision for expansion and contraction, for if it is not done, seriousinjury often results to such a fence from the snapping asunder of theweakest parts of the metal in case of sudden changes in the temperatureof the weather occurring.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The method, substantially as herein described, of making provision forexpansion and contraction in an iron lattice or other open work fence.

LEWIS EIKENBERRY.

Witnesses:

G. Yonxn AT LEE, T. F. ALLEN.

